What are Holidays like in a sorority?

I use every chance I get to spoil my sisters. The hardest part about is knowing that you can't spoil everyone equally because it would be very hard on the bank. Rather than buying for 50 sisters, I personally, stick to my immediate family (my little ones) when it comes to Christmas. The way I look at the holiday season now that I am in a sorority is why do I need a boyfriend or children, when I have littles (who are my children). The best part about Shanna & Karlee is that they are both so insanely different, so as you can imagine, that makes shopping for them so much easier.

First, you have Shanna, who is as girly as they come, but who can still hold her own. She loves adventures and camping, but will never be seen without her nails painted. She gets called a Barbie, but mess with her, and I would recommend you start running as fast as possible. She's the absolute best at giving advice, whether it be about boys, school, life, anything, you need something and she's the first one you run to. She is the best driving buddy because she can be having a serious convo and then be screaming a song in the next second. As you can imagine, shopping for her can be difficult but so fun. I know for a fact that if I were to get her Shanna a Nerf gun or a snapback, she would give me that look of, "excuse me".  So for her, we'll stick to the more girly stores.

Next you have Karlee. Oh my smalls. This girl is probably one of the most competitive people I have ever met, and that is saying a whole lot coming from a girl who punched someone over a high school powderpuff football game. Whoops. She is the best at making you forget you are sad. Don't ask her for advice on boys because, well, she will most likely say "ew. boys are dumb" and call it a day. She is the one that will take you on a drive and make you laugh at the smallest things, like casually repositioning for sale signs in front yards. She knows how to have a good time & most often does not take things very seriously. She has one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. She is the first one to be there when you need something even when it is just a Starbucks to get you through finals week. Shopping for her is, well, quite easy because she is not picky. I would never dare getting her a piece of jewelry or a purse because she would look at me and say, "uhh.. This is a joke, right, right?".

I LOVE THAT. I love that I don't have to worry about getting them the same thing, or spoiling one more than the other because they have such unique personalities & I spoil them in different ways. But it's not all about the presents. It's about having the best friends that you couldn't even dream of. It is about the bond that we share and knowing that I have two of the most amazing women to call my little sisters. It's about driving around Southern Utah looking at Christmas lights and listening to Christmas music. It is about taking holiday pictures, watching movies and just spending quality time with each other. They are my family & God truly blessed me with both of them & to me, that's what Christmas is about. It is being thankful to Christ for the many blessings he has given us and for dying on the cross for our sins. Because without Christ there would be no CHRISTmas.

So, yes, being in a sorority and having littles, makes the holidays that much more special. I couldn't imagine life without these two & I will never imagine my life without them. The are my light and I am blessed.

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas! ♥ 

A Sisterly Bond that Could Never be Broken.

We're not perfect here, but we are a family.

From the outside looking in, we are a bunch of girls who love each other, its obvious.  We are obsessed with our sorority and have all of the t-shirts, spirit jerseys and quarter zips to prove it.  We go out & we have fun, we are the life of the party and can provide you with any type of sorority chant you could ever want in a drop of a hat.  We can be picture ready and in a sorority squat position in a matter of seconds, try us.  All of this, very obvious to those looking in.  But there is so much more to this fraternity than just that.  This is an organization filled with women who have been through trials most couldn't imagine, the women going through hell but would rather help someone in need than focus on themselves, women of class and integrity, and women who are unbelievable empowering.  These girls are my inspiration.  I can honestly say that if it wasn't for this organization, I would no longer be in Cedar City attending SUU.  The transition from high school to college is never meant to be easy, but for me, it has been exceptionally more difficult than I could have imagined.  It's been a roller coaster of emotions, but with these women standing behind me every step of the way, it has made life a little easier.  I am so incredibly blessed to have come to know Alpha Phi in the ways that I have.  Through Alpha Phi, I have learned more about myself and my strengths than I ever thought possible.  Through my lowest points of depression, anxiety, and heartbreak to my highest points of achievements and happiness, they have stuck by my side through it all.  I cannot tell you how many times I have laughed until I cried, nearly peed my pants laughing, and had those late night heart to hearts with some of the most incredible human beings.  To me, true friendship is not just having someone to laugh and cry with, but it is having someone that can see past your smile and know that you are hurting & that is what I have found in this fraternity.  They know me better than I know myself.  They know the right words to say, the right songs to play, & the right kind of ice cream to buy when it's been one of those days.  When it feels like you have hit rock bottom, they are the first ones there to pick you back up.  When you want to stay in your room and cry, they are the ones making you put on real clothes and dragging you out of the door.  I will forever treasure those car drives screaming lyrics at the top of my lungs with my sisters, those Wednesday nights spent in Willowbrook apartment 56, those spontaneous but yet so successful trips to St. George, the long summer nights that turned into early mornings & the crazy unforgettable adventures in the "adventure car". 

It is something that I can't explain enough for you to completely understand.  It's a feeling that is indescribable and it is a sisterhood that I have never experienced before.  They believe in me when I have a hard time believing in myself.  They are the first to tell me when I am making a bad decision, and the ones I can count on to give me correction when I am in need of it.  We fight and get on each others nerves from time to time, but at the end of the day we are sisters & sisters are forever. It is a bond that will never be broken and for that I am eternally grateful<3 

Forever love & AOE<3 

Do Sorority Sisters Really do Everything Together?

One of the best parts about being in a sorority is that you constantly have girl friends to share new memories with.  I know that whatever it is that I am doing, there is going to be a sister there with me.  From sporting events, Spring Breaks, Summer vacation, weddings, concerts, there is always adventure awaiting, you just need to find the people that will partake in these adventures with you.  I am lucky to say that Alpha Phi has introduced me to the most adventurous and free-spirited individuals.  & I am even luckier to say that some of my greatest memories are the times that I have spent with my sisters.  Check it out:

Spring Breaks- 

From the beaches of California to the beaches of Cabo San Lucas Mexico, there are no bad days when you spend Spring Break with your sisters. 

Sporting Events- 

There is nothing like showing your SUU pride with your sisters sitting right next to you. 

Summer Adventures- 

 

Concerts- 

You can never go wrong with Luke Bryan & your sisters. 

Some of my all time favorite memories- 

The best thing to hold to in life is each other. AOE<3

What is a Sorority Pledge Class?

When you first rush, you are amonst about 80 other girls (at a smaller university such as SUU) who are also rushing.  On the Friday of rush week, you could be given a bid into the organization. What this bid means is that the organization is interested in you & if you sign the bid, you in return want to become a part of it.  All of the girls that receive a bid on bid day, will become a "pledge class" and you will receive a pledge class name.  Going into bid day, not many of the girls know each other too well because during rush week, you as a potential new member are more interested in learning about the girls already in the organization as well as the organization itself.  That Friday evening there is always a "bid day celebration" and this is when everyone gathers together and you celebrate this new moment in your life, this is where you are also given your pledge class name and start to get to know the girls in your class a little bit better through ice breakers, mingling, and traditions.  The pledge class name depends on what number of pledge classes there are currently in the organization.  A pledge class name will never be repeated as it is unique to each group of girls.  The names will start with Alpha and will continue on into the Greek alphabet.  Once the last Greek letter is used, it will start again with Alpha and add on in order again, such as Alpha Alpha.  The first pledge class (so the first girls to ever be a part of the organization at SUU are in the pledge class Alpha, the second pledge class with then be Beta, and so on through out the Greek alphabet.

My pledge class bid day. This was my first picture to be taken with my Beta Xi sisters, little did I know that they would become some of my best friends. 

Your pledge class is the group of girls that you get a bid with, go through the new member process with, get initiated with, know you the best, and will most likely go alum with.  I am a Beta Xi and I am so proud to call myself that because of these strong courageous women in my pledge class specifically.  I could not have imagined a better experience & I truly believe it is because of these women.  We were initiated together as a pledge class of 16 on November 2, 2012.  I can honestly say that I still remember this day like it was yesterday.

The Beta Xi's, in my opinion, are some of the greatest girls to come to the SUU chapter. (and this is when I get to brag about my pledge class)  We have had 2 members serve as chapter president, 7 members serve as a part of the executive council, and almost every girl in this pledge class currently holds a position.  It doesn't stop there. These girls are also involved in other organizations on campus including but not limited to: Orientation Leaders, Student Government, The Newman's Club, Orchesis: SUU Modern Dance Company, and The Honors Program. In the last semester a sister of the Beta Xi pledge class was accepted into the nursing program at Southern Utah University, making this the 3rd from this chapter in the last two semesters. This just goes to show how well rounded women of this organization are.  They not only devote their lives to Alpha Phi and to their sisters but also to being involved, excelling academically, and progressing into better leaders.

I am happily a Beta Xi until I die!!<3 AOE.